1919
2013
On Tuesday, June 18, 2013 Jack (Jake) Terzian, 93, put on his infamous P47 cap for the last time. Jack, of Armenian descent, was born Kegham Terzian in Adana, Turkey 28 July, 1919. He was the third child of Paul, a pharmacist, and Sirouhi Kalousdian Terzian, a schoolteacher. Jack and his family immigrated to the U. S. in 1924 where he attended school in Brooklyn and in Manhattan, New York. He was a photographer in civilian life before he enlisted in the U. S. Army Air corps on March 11, 1941. When the U. S. entered World War II in December 1941, Jack applied for and was accepted to military flying school. He graduated as a pilot and Lieutenant in November 1942. He became a P47 Fighter Pilot and departed for England with his flying group in June 1943 where he flew bomber escort and other fighter-bomber missions. In April 1944 on his way back to England after a bomber escort mission over north Germany, his plane, which he had named Marty for the girl he left at home, ran out of fuel, causing him to bail out of his aircraft into the North Sea about 80 miles from the British coast. He survived the icy waters for the next four hours before being rescued by a British launch. In May 1944 on a dive-bomber mission over German occupied Belgium, his P47 was hit by German anti-aircraft fire while he was strafing a flak tower. Jack crash-landed his aircraft near Brussels, Belgium and was rescued by the Belgian Underground who helped him evade capture for the next two months. The Gestapo raided the home in which he was hiding, and he was turned over to the Wehrmacht and incarcerated in St. Gilles prison. Two months later as the Allied Ground Forces were approaching Brussels, the Germans began evacuating Brussels by railroad train. The Belgian underground derailed one of the cars of the train, known as the Phantom Train, and Jack and forty other allied airmen escaped during the Germans' panic. He returned to England and then home to New York.
He married his Marty (Martha Tait) on 15 October 1944 in Chester, Virginia.
His 23-year military career in the Air Force included assignments in New Jersey, Michigan, New Hampshire, Alaska, Arizona, Texas; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and he retired as a Lt. Colonel at Dyess AFB in Abilene in 1963. For meritorious service while a member of the U. S. Air Force, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters; Purple Heart; POW Medal; and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
After retiring from the USAF, he was an agent for New York Life Insurance Co. in Abilene for 25 years, retiring again in 1988. He was a former member of the Abilene Optimist Club, the national, state, and local Life Underwriters Association, and the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau. He also served as chairman of the Ethics Committee of the Abilene Life Underwriters Association and is a current member of the Retired Officers Association, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Disabled Veterans (DAV), the Air Force Escape and Evasion Society, and the P47 Thunderbolt Association.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his two brothers, William and James and their wives Violet and Mary, daughter in law, Arax Kalajian, and niece, Eileen.
To carry on his memory and recount his fabulous life are his wife, Marty; two sons, Robert P.and Alicja Waliszewska, of Annandale, VA.; and Charles L. of Austin, Texas, and one daughter, Toni T. Wellhausen and husband, Larry of Abilene; grandchildren, Bree Linne Perez and husband Benjamin, and Jacob Kegam Locke; John F. Egner and wife Pam; Samantha Egner Teixeira and husband, Brian; great grandchildren, Ian Perez, Julia Arax Teixeira, Elizabeth and Matthew Egner, and Hines Wellhausen, and several nieces and nephews.
Jack will be remembered for his kind smile, sense of integrity, tender heart, and strong faith in God. He served his country with pride and held strong to the belief that he did what everyone else would have done ~ he was just lucky enough to have survived. Typical of The Greatest Generation, he shied away from personal recognition and never wanted to be made into a hero ~ even though to his family he always was. He was a kind and gentle soul, albeit stubborn! Jack was immaculate in dress and a consummate gentleman. Even at his frailest, he had a handshake for his guests and an offer of something to drink. He believed family to be of the utmost importance and imparted that sense to those who loved him the most. Simply put, his goal in life was to take care of his wife and children, and he did it very well. We will miss the sight of his ever-present P-47 caps.
Many thanks to his many tender, gentle, and kind caretakers, including Candy, Janet, Debbie, Janie, Grace, and many others and Hendrick Hospice, all of whom supplied not only care but much love.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30p.m. on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at Wylie Christian Church. Inurnment will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation be made in Jack's name to Wylie Christian Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
July 17, 2013
David Davis
Aunt Marty, Robert, Toni and Chuck, I didn't know that Uncle Jack had died. I'm so sorry for your loss. He was part of my family too. I love you all so much.
July 2, 2013
Pat Chapman
Oh Papa Jack. These are so beautiful. The memories are so rich. I remember that photo of the "Marty" plane vividly. He was a precious precious man. It is so very hard to lose a Daddy, especially one as powerful and dear as yours. My heart is with you Friend.
June 28, 2013
Kimberly Empie
So very sorry for your loss Marty.....I know how close you two were.....I remember Mr. Terzian with kindness....Godspeed
June 27, 2013
Aunt Marty, Bob, Toni, Chuck, & family,
Uncle Jack was a great man and loved you all very much. I remember him when I was a little boy and was so glad Aislyn, Liden and I got to visit for a memorable weekend a few years ago. We all had a wonderful time and enjoyed the many stories he told us. When I told Aislyn & Liden of Uncle Jack's passing and read them the obituary, they were sad but had smiles on their faces remembering our visit. Liden was talking about the fighter jet pictures on the walls, and Aislyn spoke of his kind and tender heart.
While looking at the wonderful pictures, I think how Uncle Jack and my grandfather lived the American dream and show us that anything is possible. As an American hero, I know Uncle Jack is watching over you all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time.
Love, Brian, Sandra, Aislyn, Liden, Hannah, & Dylan
June 25, 2013
andrrew brokaw
Toni, It's so very hard to lose our dads! My heart felt prayers are sent your way as you deal with his passing away. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as the summer continues. Only by His Grace, Andrew Brokaw
June 24, 2013
Allen and Cheryl Purcell
Jack was a quiet hero, a true gentleman, and a friend to everyone he met. We were blessed to have met him many years ago.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
June 24, 2013
Mary Lippa
Dearest Marty, Toni, Chuck, Bob and family, What a remakable life and what an inspiration to us all. My heartfelt sympathy to you all through this time of loss. Truly Jack was the best of what this countly is made of. Much love to you all.
June 23, 2013
Mariusz Machczynski
" Robertowi , Jego Mamie i i calej Rodzinie pograzonej w smutku z powodu smierci Jacka skladamy nasze wyrazy wspolczucia .
Jestesmy pelni podziwu dla Jego zycia w ktorym wykazal sie wielkim bohaterstwem budzacym w nas podziw i szacunek. "
Czesc Jego pamieci,
Kamila, Mariusz Machczynski, Polska.
June 22, 2013
Janiece Longoria
Dear Terzian family,
Jack Terzian was a true patriot, an American hero, and the epitome of the American Dream. I have such admiration for all that he did during his life. He lived life well and leaves a great legacy for others to follow. I am thinking of you during this time of loss.
With love,
Janiece Longoria
June 21, 2013
Alicja Waliszewska
Dear Marty, Bob, Toni, Chuck and Family,
You have my deepest sympathy on the death of Jack.
I am so sorry that I will not be able to attend the memorial service to honor Jack's great life. Know that I will be with you in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless you during this diffult time and always.
With love and care,
Alicja Waliszewska
June 21, 2013
Dear Toni, Marty, Larry and Family,
Neil and I will not be able to attend Jack's service tomorrow, and I am so very sorry! We will be out of town and regret that we will not be there to honor such an amazing life. I will be thinking of you all. Love, Cathy Clay and Neil Cannon
June 21, 2013
Jo and John Minikus
The Minikus Family met Mr. Terzian in person only once. His son, Charles L. Terzian, is a dear friend of our family. Through Charles, we learned of his father's service to this country, to his plight during his service, and we believe Mr. Jack Terzian to be a hero and we honor him and all that he stood for.
God Bless the Terzian Family.
With prayer and care, from Johnny, Jo, Keith and Cassie Minikus
June 21, 2013
Dearest Marty,
Way back in the early seventies, you and Jack trusted me and my friend to dog-sit sweet Sandy and Babette, while y'all went on a short trip. Many years have passed, but i'll always remember how much your children and dogs meant to you! I don't think i ever saw the two of you without smiles on your faces. Bless you and your family during this difficult time.
love you,
terry Bynum Lloyd
Grissoms(Fashion Lane)
June 21, 2013
Barbara Gaskins
What a great man with an even greater family. Toni, thanks for sharing so much of your dad's life. He was really an interesting person and you can tell he loved our country and his family. My heart goes out to you and your family. God Bless All of you.
June 21, 2013
Marty, Bob, Toni and Chuck:
I hope you all know how much I love you and loved Jack. He was a wonderful and kind man to all. A loving father to his children and great husband to the love of his life Marty. My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. I have always and will continue to hold a special place in my heart for you all.
May God hold you all in the palm of his hand during this time of sorrow.
My love is with you now and always,
Renee' Heflin-Long
Arlington, Texas
June 21, 2013
Lynn and Gail Brown
What a great testimony to all his life through pictures with his family! So very happy I had the privilege of knowing Jack. Marty, and family you are prayed for daily as you transition through this time. Jack is with our Lord and Savior and we will all see him, again! Love you to all!
June 21, 2013
J Murray
To the family, you do not know me but I want to say Thank You to Jack for his service and being such a good citizen as one of the Greatest Generation. Wish we had more like Jack and your family today.
June 21, 2013
Larry Taylor
Dear Marty,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss. I appreciate Jack and you for your service to our country. Jack was a good and honorable man and will always be remembered. It has been an honor for me to serve as Jack's successor agent with New York Life. Please accept our condolences for you and all the family.
Love to all,
Larry and Maudie Taylor
June 20, 2013
Betty Bolls
Marty, my love and sympathy are with you. Downing and I enjoyed seeing you at TROA and it was always such an unexpected pleasure to run into Jack when shopping at the commissary. He was indeed a wonderful person and his friendship meant so much to Downing. Please know that you will be in my prayers.
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